About Jennifer Chesterton
I trained as a Physiotherapist at Northumbria University and completed subsequent junior physiotherapy experience at Sunderland Royal Hospital. This sparked my initial interest in paediatric physiotherapy where I moved to a senior role working at Northumberland NHS Trust. I have engaged in a clinical lead role drawing upon interests in leadership and service development.
My specialist interest area is in the management of children with complex needs and neuromuscular disorders and I have spent a number of years working in educational settings. I have a passion for integration, child-centred care, postural management of children and developing functional skills, particularly in Cerebral Palsy.
I am an Education Officer for the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP) Committee involved in coordinating professional developmental opportunities for paediatric physiotherapists including the APCP Conference. I continue to maintain links with clinical practice and higher education (HE).
I am currently studying for a professional doctorate based on eliciting the voice of the child in the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process. This is a specific area of interest alongside inclusive education and interprofessional working in the educational setting.
Teaching and supervision
I teach BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy.
I am involved in teaching physiology through lifespan, neurological physiotherapy and paediatric elements across the programme. I lead modules across level 5 and 6 related to professional studies aligned to the four pillars of physiotherapy practice.
Interests
I am interested in students' readiness for practice and their experiences of their training. This is particularly surrounding paediatric placements and roles as junior clinicians.
My previous work in the NHS was in a wider interdisciplinary team, and the integration of inter-professional learning is another interest of mine to embed into teaching and practice.
My professional doctorate is related to interprofessional working in the educational setting to create and implement an effective Education Health and Care Plan. The interaction between paediatric allied health professionals and educational professionals, aligned to political directives, is a specific area of interest for future research.
Research
My areas of research focus are:
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and the involvement of Paediatric Allied Health Professionals in the Education Health and Care Planning process
- The development of authentic interprofessional learning opportunities for graduate ready skills.
Areas of expertise
- Children's neurological physiotherapy
- Management of children with complex and multiple disabilities in a specialist school settings
- Allied Health in the SEND process
- 24-hour postural management for children with complex physical disabilities.